Rescue operations are underway on Friday to trace about 45 people missing following flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in three districts of Himachal Pradesh even as with recovery of three more bodies, the death toll due to the flash floods in Nirmand, Sainj and Malana areas in Kullu, Mandi’s Padhar and Shimla’s Rampur subdivision has increased to eight.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu along with Education Minister Rohit Thakur visited Samej on the border of Shimla and Kullu district to take stock of the situation and talk to the victims. Over 30 people were missing after a cloudburst near Shrikhand Mahadev route on Wednesday night triggered flash floods in Sarpara, Ganvi and Kurban nallahs. Talking to reporters, Sukhu said 17-18 women and 8-9 children are among those missing. The rescue of people is our first priority.
The chief minister announced an immediate relief of Rs 50,000 for the victims and also said that they would be given Rs 5,000 a month for rent for the next three months along with gas, food and other essential items. He said that arrangements would be made for schooling of children as several primary and secondary schools have been damaged. A relief package would be announced for the disaster-hit victims after the monsoon season is over, he added.
Five bodies were found in Mandi’s Rajban village, one in Nirmand in Kullu, officials said on Friday while mutilated parts of two people were recovered in Rampur. Relatives of the missing persons are camping at the sites with hope fading with every passing hour.
The Chief Minister assured that financial assistance for rebuilding their houses would be announced shortly. The government is committed to the rehabilitation of the affected families, he said and directed the district administration to make alternative arrangements to ensure that displaced families do not face any further miseries and difficulties.
He also met with students from Government Senior Secondary School Samej, whose eight classmates are missing following the tragic incident. Students Rakhi and Kartik Thakur both in Class VIII, informed the Chief Minister that their school had been completely damaged and they were in shock. He assured that the school building would be reconstructed in a much better and planned manner so that the children receive a good education in a better environment. The Chief Minister also encouraged them to stay strong and support their families in this hour of grief.
Vimla Devi, a resident of Samej, recounted the horrific night of the cloudburst, with fear and panic all over in the village. The Chief Minister shared their sufferings and assured that the State Government stand by them in their hour of suffering. "The government stands shoulder to shoulder with the affected persons and will support the families during this challenging time. All the affected families were my family members, and I assure you that a relief package will be announced shortly," said Sukhu. "I stand by you all and can understand well the pain of losing the dear ones I can share your grief but can't bring back your loved ones who went missing since the catastrophic incident.
